Extra Nothings...

1.18.2010

The Queen of Almost Learns to Do The Next Thing...

I really don't have a Churchill fetish, but some of his quotes have been so appropriate lately. Here's another one that I found last week and it seems to fit a "Manic Monday Cleaning" post:

"It's not enough that we do our best; sometimes we have to do what's required." - Sir Winston Churchill

There are way too many times that I snap at Peter when he asks what I've done all day. But honestly, the reason I get defensive with him is because I recognize that I haven't given 100% to my job while he has been away at his. And since I'm being all truthful and stuff, I have to admit that I am the Queen of Almost. It's "almost" clean. The Christmas clutter decorations are "almost" put away. The laundry is "almost" done. The stuff from dinner is "almost" cleared.

Several times a day I wander around the house thinking, "There's nothing to do. I'm bored." But the actual reality is that my kitchen counters are covered with stuff to put away or clean up.

My bathrooms need to be cleaned and my floors need to be vacuumed and Swiffered. The house needs to be dusted and the laundry hamper is overflowing. The living and dining rooms are "almost" clean enough for me not to be embarrassed if company dropped by...almost, but not quite.

Oh yes, I've "done my best" sitting in front of a computer taking care of finances, reading and writing blog posts, checking Facebook for the latest "must know" updates, writing emails, and finding coupons. But I also need to "do what's required" around the house. And you know what? I just don't enjoy or like doing what is required.

But what I don't like even more is that every day I give my bread-winner the same answer, "Oh, I worked on finances (is that really a daily job if no money leaves the house?), I wrote so-and-so, I found some great coupons, I tried a new recipe and cleaned up the kitchen sink..." Oh yes, be impressed. {Visualize a sheepish grin}

How much happier he would be - and honestly, I would be too - if he came home to a clean house, a closet and dresser full of clean clothes, and all those other things (paid bills, organized coupons, clean sink, new recipes, etc). It's time that I do more of "what's required" and less of the "filler" stuff. I'd rather he not have to ask what I did with my day because he saw the evidence of what I did with his own eyes. I owe it to him to do the stuff I don't love. Why? Because he faithfully goes to a job that he doesn't love so that we can keep a roof over our heads and food on the table. And because I've read Proverbs 31 enough times to know that it's. my. job. {there's that sheepish grin again...}

I'm still in process - as a Christian and as a wife. Some people are just a bit slower than others in learning that being a "good steward" doesn't just mean a good steward of money, but of everything God gives us - including those dirty bathrooms, piles of clothes, and messy kitchen counters. :-)

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go clean some floors and get the laundry started...

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C.S. Lewis once said, “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." Dream BIG. After going "there and back again", The Hubs & I have returned to a home full of books, good coffee and fine cheese. We have been the recipients of Amazing Grace, and our purpose in life is to share that with others.